Hit-and-run case: SC dismisses plea against Salman Khan’s acquittal

The Supreme Court on Friday declined to entertain a special leave petition filed by the widow and son of victim, Shaikh Noorulla Shafik, who was killed in the ‘hit and run car accident’, seeking compensation and challenging the acquittal of actor Salman Khan.

A Bench headed by Justice J.S. Khehar dismissed the petition observing that since the State of Maharashtra had already filed the appeal which has been admitted, there was no need for another petition.

When lawyer Shiva Kumar Tripathi, appearing for Shaikh, said the victim had not been paid any compensation, the bench responded by saying that filing an appeal for that, is not a remedy.

The special leave petition (SLP) filed by the injured man had claimed that the high court has wrongly acquitted Salman by “ignoring the material points with regard to the statement of the petitioner before the police and the trial court” which had sentenced him to five years rigorous imprisonment.

The Maharashtra government has already challenged Salman’s acquittal and sought restoration of trial court’s decision. The high court, in its verdict passed on December 10 last year, had held that the prosecution had failed to prove “beyond reasonable doubt” that the actor was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident and was drunk.